Honouring our war heroes

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/05/2014 (4262 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, a pivotal moment in our history where Canadian and allied forces stormed the German defences on the beaches of Normandy.

Canada played an integral role in the success of the D-Day landings, with Canadian troops progressing further than any of their Allies that day. Their sacrifice came at a significant cost.

Today, as Canadians, we cherish values of freedom, democracy and rule of law — values for which they fought and died. In recognition of their sacrifice, Veterans Affairs Canada is providing travel assistance of up to $2,000 to all Canadian veterans of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy. I encourage veterans in Winnipeg to apply as soon as possible by contacting 1-866-522-2122.

Through their brave and sacrificial service, they turned the tide of the Second World War and ultimately helped liberate Europe and the world from Nazi tyranny.

A Canadian delegation will head to France to participate in events commemorating the 70th anniversary of D-Day. On this important milestone, we all join in honouring our veterans and paying tribute to their tremendous service and sacrifices.

And to mark the end of Canada’s military mission in Afghanistan and recognize the Canadian Forces members who served, including many from Manitoba, a national day of honour has been set aside on May 9 that will pay tribute to the fallen, the sacrifices of the wounded, and the special burden borne by families. I encourage Manitobans to participate at their local legions and honour the legacy of these heroes with a national moment of silence.

Lest we forget.